Best tv shows like Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Jessica's extraordinarily strong will and heart enables her to rebel against her fanatical, cult-like upbringing. From seven to seventeen Jess is brainwashed to be one of the 'saved', to devote her life to Jesus, to follow the discriminatory teachings of Pastor Finch and his understanding of Revelations. As her warm personality dictates she succeeds in fitting into this regime and spreads the word of Jesus in a fairly content manner. But when her friendship with Melanie develops into something a little more 'unnatural' she easily realizes the error of the Pastors teachings. The girls are subjected to terrible treatment to convince them to repent.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: controversial, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, semi serious, biting, suspense, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1989):
Similar in 84%
Ackley Bridge (2017)
Plot Summary:
A new academy school in a Yorkshire mill town merges the lives and cultures of the largely divided white and Asian community.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: emotional, psychological, talky, multicultural, comedy drama
Similar in 81%
Brides of Christ (1991)
Plot Summary:
Diane, a young woman growing up in Australia in the mid 1960s, walks away from her fiancé to join a convent after being sure she has a calling to the faith. The Catholic Church and its followers are struggling with huge changes. The Pope has died, there is war in Vietnam and mandatory conscription, there is the Vatican controversy on abortion and contraception, and the changing face of the Church as a whole. Told in six parts, Diane faces her own demons and has to finally decide if she can teach what the Church preaches, or if it's simply impossible for her to reconcile all the contradictions of the faith and uphold her vow of obedience.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 690
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia, UK, Ireland
Duration:
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 78%
Britannia High (2008)
Plot Summary:
Britannia High is a British musical drama television series co-produced by Granada Television and Globe Productions for the ITV network. The series focused on the lives of a group of teenagers and their mentors at a fictional London theatre school. It aired on ITV and TV3 Ireland, premiering on 26 October 2008. The show starred Sapphire Elia, Georgina Hagen, Mitch Hewer, Rana Roy, Matthew James Thomas and Marcquelle Ward, as well as Adam Garcia as the dance mentor, Lorraine Pilkington as the music mentor and Mark Benton as the school principal and acting mentor. In addition to the main cast, the series featured cameo performances from Girls Aloud, Boyzone, Matt Willis and Gemma Bissix. Also, Aston Merrygold, lead singer of hit boyband JLS, auditioned for the role before his success in the boyband - but only made it to the final 16. George Ure who attended Mountview Academy also auditioned before his success in the Musical Wicked where he played Boq. Pixie Lott also auditioned as did Ed Sheeran and Danielle Peazer. The show featured an original soundtrack which was created by a team of pop producers and writers in the UK, led by Take That member Gary Barlow.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 535
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 630 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, captivating, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 89%
Tick Tock Lullaby (2007)
Plot Summary:
A wry interweave film about baby making and how as time marches on the decision gets more intense and less romantic.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 133
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, talky, independent film
Similar in 76%
Life in Squares (2015)
Plot Summary:
A story of the close and often fraught relationship between sisters Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 832
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 171 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, emotional, costume drama, historical romance, stylized, period piece, period drama
Similar in 84%
Venice the Series (2009)
Plot Summary:
Venice: The Series is a web series co-produced by and starring American actress Crystal Chappell, and is inspired in part by the "Otalia" storyline on the daytime drama Guiding Light. The series has been broadcast since 2009, and is currently in its fourth season. Venice is described by Chappell as "a show about families, and life, and all the simplicity of it, and the turmoil of it. We're going to be following a character named Gina who is a designer, and she is a gay woman.".
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 862
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 65 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, touching, sentimental, sincere, serious, soap opera
Similar in 79%
Out With Dad (2010)
Plot Summary:
Here we have a look into the life of a teenage girl along with her single father. The two share a close relationship. Rose is coming of age, coming out of the closet, and hoping to avoid having a spotlight put on her life. Her dad, Nathan, is struggling to help. Maybe he’s even pushing her out? Exploring themes of love and orientation, Out With Dad is a tender look at growing up regardless of your age, experience, or sexuality.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 203
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration:
Plot tags: erotic, psychological, tense, touching, unusual plot structure, captivating, suspense, disturbing, contemplative, sensual
Similar in 87%
We Are Who We Are (2020)
Plot Summary:
Plot unknown.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 462 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, thought provoking, sentimental, uplifting, touching, sweet, funny, educational, cute
Similar in 75%
White Heat (2012)
Plot Summary:
A story about a group of seven London-based students from 1965 to the present day.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 709
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, family saga, saga
Similar in 81%
Anne Plus (2018)
Plot Summary:
The weekend Anne (24) moves into her own place she unexpectedly runs into her ex-girlfriend Lily, and a lot has happened since they broke up four years ago. Over the weekend, Anne reflects on the relationships she has had throughout her student years in Amsterdam.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 870
Genere: Drama
Country: Netherlands
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, romantic, touching, emotional, talky, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001)
Plot Summary:
The life of a group of adolescents going through the trials and tribulations of teendom at Degrassi Community School.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: teen, sentimental, realistic, touching, serious, tense, suspenseful, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 85%
Behaving Badly (1989)
Plot Summary:
Behaving Badly is a 1989 British television serial directed by David Tucker. The teleplay by Catherine Heath and Moira Williams is based on Heath's novel of the same name. It was initially broadcast by Channel 4. The series was released on DVD in 2005. The plot focuses on Bridget Mayor, a middle-aged housewife and part-time teacher who is forced to re-evaluate her life when her husband of twenty years abandons her for a younger woman.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 160
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious, dark comedy
Similar in 84%
Same-Sex Parents (2001)
Plot Summary:
A jealous classmate exposes the fact that Olympe has 2 gay parents. Feeling ostracized and humiliated, Olympe lashes out at her closeted mother. Life unravels so that the truth can set them free.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 150
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, tense, sexual, sexy
Similar in 86%
Sugar Rush (2005)
Plot Summary:
Sugar Rush is an Emmy Award–winning British television comedy drama series developed by Shine Limited and broadcast by Channel 4, based on the Julie Burchill novel of the same name. It is centred around the life of a 15 year old lesbian Kim Daniels who at the beginning of series one moves from London to Brighton on the south coast of England.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, semi serious, romantic, teen, dark comedy, clever, feel good, humorous, queer cinema
Similar in 88%
The '70s (2000)
Plot Summary:
Four friends, fresh from tragedy at Kent Sate, graduate from college and begin their adult lives during the turbulent 1970s. But Dexter (Guy Torry), Eileen (Vinessa Shaw), Byron (Brad Rowe) and Christie (Amy Smart) find their paths are heading in different directions. Namely, toward the Black Panthers, the feminist movement, the Watergate Scandal and the Hustle. Peter Werner directs this poignant television miniseries originally aired on NBC.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 671
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 170 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, semi serious, sincere, clever, realistic, talky
Similar in 77%
Between Two Women (2003)
Plot Summary:
Set in Northern England, this powerful tale of suppressed sexuality offers poignant and sharply observant social commentary, interlaced with a tender romance. Vetern actress Barbara Marten tugs at the heart as Ellen Hardy, a working-class mother unhappily married to Geoff and struggling with her feelings for another woman - her 10-year-old son's vivacious teacher, Kathy Thompson.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 727
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: serious, sentimental, touching, emotional, period piece, deep, independent film, realistic, gloomy, sexual
Similar in 88%
Young Americans (2000)
Plot Summary:
Young Americans is an American television drama created by Steven Antin. The show debuted on July 12, 2000 on The WB network as a summer replacement for, and spin-off from, another Columbia TriStar Television production, Dawson's Creek. The series was originally ordered for the fall 1999-2000 season but was delayed due to unresolved matters between the ColumbiaTriStar and The WB. The main character, Will Krudski, was introduced late in season three of Dawson's Creek as a childhood friend of the group who has kept in contact with Pacey Witter. Will goes to Capeside to visit with old friends while on spring break. After briefly dating Andie McPhee he returns to Raleigh. The show explores themes of forbidden love, morality, social classes and gender roles.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
The Wise Kids (2011)
Plot Summary:
A vivid, dynamic Southern coming-of-age drama, takes place in the transitional space between high school and college, when life seems to be all questions and no answers, and the future is scarily wide open. Set in and around a Charleston, SC Baptist church, weaving through this ensemble piece are three main characters - Brea, an introspective pastor's daughter experiencing debilitating doubt, the hyperactive Laura, Brea's best friend and a devout believer, and Tim, the open-hearted son of a single father, confronting his homosexuality for the first time. Tensions and buried feelings abound, as colleges are chosen and adults behave badly, as Brea, Laura and Tim attempt to hang onto what they have, all the while yearning to break free.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, sexual, christian film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
Boys Life 2 (1997)
Plot Summary:
Compilation of four short films about homoerotic situations involving young men. In "Trevor", by Peggy Rajski, a teenager faces homophobia and falls in love for the first time. Tom DeCerchio directed "Nunzio's Second Cousin", telling the story of a gay cop who forces a gay-basher to come to his house and have dinner with his family. In "Alkali, Iowa", by Mark Christopher, a young gay man finds out some of his father's past secrets. And "Must Be the Music", by Nickolas Perry, follows four teenagers looking for love in nightclubs.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 487
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: independent film, anthology, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, sketch comedy, sexy, unusual plot structure, sweet
Similar in 82%
Sonja (2006)
Plot Summary:
Sonja is struggling to deal with her parent separation, and find her feelings for her best friend might not just be a phase.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 322
Genere: Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 72 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, touching, sexy, lgbt cinema, sexual, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
Queer as Folk (1999)
Plot Summary:
Queer as Folk is a 1999 British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. Both Queer as Folk and Queer as Folk 2 were written by Russell T Davies. The first series was re-shown on More 4 between 14 and 18 October 2007, as part of Channel 4's 25th-birthday celebrations. Queer as Folk was produced by the Red Production Company for Channel 4. The title of the programme comes from a dialect expression from some parts of Northern England, "there's nowt so queer as folk", meaning "there's nothing as strange as people"; which is a word play the modern day English synonym of "queer", meaning homosexual. Davies had originally titled the series this, although at the suggestion of Channel 4 executives for a period during its development and pre-production it was known as Queer as Fuck, before it reverted to the former name.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 48 min
Plot tags: controversial, sensual, sexual, erotic, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, sex comedy
Similar in 81%
Banana (2015)
Plot Summary:
Witty, heartfelt and unique interlinked stories covering different aspects of LGBT life, featuring the most exciting emerging talent.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, psychological, captivating, erotic, controversial, sensual, sincere, touching, serious
Similar in 81%
Anyone But Me (2008)
Plot Summary:
Anyone But Me is a live-action, web television drama that first aired in 2008. The show is in serial short-format webisodes, each lasting between six and fifteen minutes, following the lives of a group of teenagers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. Anyone But Me was developed by Tina Cesa Ward and playwright Susan Miller from Ward's original work. Anyone But Me's initial launch and distribution was on Strike.TV. Subsequently it has been offered on its own website and other online video providers such as YouTube and Hulu.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Short, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: touching, sexual, emotional, humorous, realistic, psychological, sincere, captivating, disturbing, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Lip Service (2010)
Plot Summary:
Lip Service was a British television serial drama portraying the lives of a group of lesbians living in Glasgow, Scotland. Production on the show, which stars Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas and Fiona Button, began in summer 2009 in Glasgow. The show debuted on BBC Three on 12 October 2010. Filming on a second series was confirmed in late 2010, with filming beginning on 30 May 2011. The second series aired on BBC Three from 20 April 2012. In January of 2013, shows creator, Harriet Braun, announced that BBC Three cancelled the series without explanation.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, sexy, semi serious, erotic, sexual, dark, deep, sensual, talky
Similar in 79%
South of Nowhere (2005)
Plot Summary:
South of Nowhere is an American teen drama television series created by Thomas W. Lynch. Aimed primarily at teenagers, it first aired on November 4, 2005 and was one of six original series on The N. The second half of the third and final season aired October 10, 2008 and the final episode aired on December 12, 2008. Live webisodes were also created to accompany each episode in the season 2 storyline, and were seen exclusively through The N's website on the Click. The show follows the lives of the members of the Carlin family as they adjust to moving from Ohio to Los Angeles, California. One of the main focuses include the relationship between Spencer Carlin and her bisexual friend, Ashley Davies. The close friendship between Ashley and Spencer led Spencer to question her own sexuality, a subject which created controversy before the show first aired. It was the first series on The N to deal with such a subject relating to the primary characters, and the first television show ever to have non-heterosexual teenagers as the top-billed characters.South of Nowhere has received outstanding reviews from TV Guide, The Boston Tribute, New York Post, New York Daily News, Entertainment Weekly, and Variety.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, humorous, serious, teen, cult classic, captivating, queer cinema, corny
Similar in 83%
The L Word: Generation Q (2019)
Plot Summary:
In this sequel to The L Word, we continue to follow the intermingled lives of Bette Porter, Alice Pieszecki and Shane McCutcheon, along with a new generation of diverse, self-possessed LGBTQIA+ characters experiencing love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success in L.A.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, erotic, sentimental, sincere, touching, sensual, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
Bar Girls (1994)
Plot Summary:
The life and loves of gay women hanging out at a local tavern are examined in this slice of life film.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 592
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, humorous, realistic, talky, semi serious, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 83%
Skins (2007)
Plot Summary:
Irreverent comedy drama which follows the messy lives, loves, delirious highs and inevitable lows of a group of raucous teenage friends in Bristol.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 91000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 46 min
Plot tags: captivating, cynical, realistic, semi serious, teen, sexy, erotic, dark, controversial, sexual
Similar in 81%
The Last Year (2002)
Plot Summary:
Paul's homosexual affair at Bible College with a new student named Alex sets tongues wagging, mostly with un-Christian reactions. The dean, himself a closet case, threatens to expel Paul, and the football jocks have their eye on Alex. The church confessional is sure to be busy as spirituality and sexuality clash in this movie based on a true story.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 399
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: emotional, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, sexual, independent film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
Bloomington (2010)
Plot Summary:
A former child actress attends college in search of independence and ends up becoming romantically involved with a female professor. Their relationship thrives until an opportunity to return to acting forces her to make life-altering decisions.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: sexual, sexy, touching, erotic, serious, realistic, romantic drama, independent film, gay cinema, queer cinema